red & yellow, black & white

Hb's THREE!!

2011-12-08T12:54:00.001-08:00

She's so stoic.

There's the smile! Can you believe this sassafras is three?!

What a joy she is to me.

Movies

2011-11-23T04:32:00.001-08:00

Adoption is getting so much more airtime than it got when I was growing up. I love that its growing to have a postive light around it and myths are being debunked even in the media. While I was thinking about adopted characters Z often dresses up as, movies and TV shows that present adoption in a positive light started coming to me, too, and I couldn't help but share some of them. I'm sure I'm missing quite a few, so if you know of any that I didn't put here, please let me know by leaving a comment.

Annie
Webster
Diff'rent Strokes
Punky Brewster
all the Super Heroes in the last list
Tarzan...sure Tarzan is adopted by gorillas, but the movie still shows us you don't have to look just like your family members to be a family
Meet the Robinsons...one of our favorites. This Disney movie is awesome.
Kung Fu Panda
Kung Fu Panda 2...this one is all about adoption and Po's search for "who he is"
Hook...remember this one? One of my very favorite movies. In Peter Pan and Wendy by J.M. Barrie the lost boys come home with Wendy, John, and Michael and become...adopted.
The Blindside
Despicable Me
Matilda

Know any others?

Losing Isaiah...thought I should take a moment to debunk this one. I think this one is terrible and discouraging. It will send you into a sob fest and not the good kind (i.e. The Blindside). This movie terribly portrays the majority of adoption. In fact, I have reason to believe this movie is more about foster care. I'm not sure because I haven't reviewed it in a decade and don't plan on it, but as far as adopting in America, once a child has LEGALLY become yours, the child is YOURS. I think Isaiah might have been a foster child who's mother decided to parent her child, a notion that is encouraged for kids in state care. Therefore Isaiah was taken from the only family he knew for four years. This does happen with foster care, but one knows this on becoming a foster parent. This is not a normal reality for adoption. Just wanted to do my part in speaking truth where I feel this movie has put a veil over it.

Check some of these out if you haven't already. Can you think of any others?

A random thursday rejoicification

2011-11-17T19:43:00.000-08:00

We're so excited the sky is BLUE again!

Sure it's brisk and breezy out, but the sky is so blue I can quickly forgive the sharp air. We are so happy in fact, we can't stop listening to Electric Light Orchestra's "Mr. Blue Sky"! Ever listened to that one? Well, you should. If it doesn't get your feet tapping and head bobbing left to right, your bobber's broken. And one more thing to get excited about...one week til Thanksgiving!!

South Carolina's Children

2011-11-15T11:37:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been to a Clemson football screen and seen this pop up on the big Paw Vision? Or perhaps driven down one of our state roads and seen it plastered on a billboard? Have you ever wondered about those kids...who they are, where they are, maybe even how to get involved?

I have seen the above logo for a couple years now and what once started as a compassionate pull on my heart has morphed into a passion that is changing my DNA. The logo represents children in SC's care. In pursuing this passion I have picked up some numbers involving these kids.

Numbers that have really messed with me.
I just have to share them with you.

In our state 5,000 children, give or take, are in foster care on a daily basis.

Well over 700 children are legally free for adoption...this means their parents' rights to them have been terminated and they are waiting for a forever family.

Over 1,600 have a plan of adoption over their life, meaning the chances of them returning to their biological family is very bleak.

The average stay of a child in foster care is two and a half years, but for some it's much longer.

In the USA there are 107, 000 children legally free and waiting to be adopted into a family.

I can't get these facts out of my head. Five thousand children means these are children we see on a daily basis. They aren't tucked away out of sight. They are all around us. They go to school with our children. They go to church with us. And the bottom line is they are just kids.

What can we do to help?

We can advocate. We can foster. We can adopt. We can mentor. We can pray hard.

Please join me in praying for these kiddos. They are worth it. I know this post is a little heavy, but it's worth it to me. If you have questions, I'll try to answer them. Leave me a comment. If you're wondering how you can help, know that there is a place for you, and it is a battle worth fighting.

To view the USA's waiting children click here

South Carolina Heart Gallery

They're just kids...

2011-11-13T04:57:00.000-08:00

Well then.

2011-11-08T11:08:00.001-08:00

It's pretty bad when you're singing a lullaby to your two year old and they say, "Stop mommy. That makes my ear hurt."

Wow. Am I that bad? So funny!!

Who's Who...

2011-11-07T12:01:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist.

Who's who in adoption...

Superman
Spiderman
Batman
Robin (of Batman &)
Kung Fu Panda
Mowgli
Tarzan
Iron Man
X-Men
Webster (remember him?)

Now, how about that. All of the above are adoptees. And that's just some of the boys. I know there are lots more. How about some girls?

Pippi Longstocking
Anne of Green Gables (my personal favorite)
Punky Brewster
Annie
Pollyanna

Isn't that neat!? Have any to add?
I was so excited to share with Zeke that some of his favorite characters were adopted just like him! And on a deeper note, isn't it interesting that so many super heroes have adoption written into their history. They go from an orphan to redemption and go forward fighting for justice and truth. Puts a whole new endearing spin on my Z's obsession with Super Heroes.

Interesting, eh?

November is....

2011-11-03T13:12:00.000-07:00

National Adoption Month!!!

Yay for Adoption!! This month, along with my semi-regular posts, I am going to try to be intentional in posting special Adoption posts. Our family has been forever changed by adoption and I am thankful to my core that it is in our family DNA. We celebrate adoption this month, how it has brought our family together, healed my heart, and ministered to my family and our friends. It shows us the great lengths Father went to to bring us home to Himself
and it secures our place with Him, in His forever family.

I challenge you all, including myself, to think about all the kids in our county, nation, and world waiting for a forever family. Think about them, pray for them, maybe even ask how you might make a difference to them. They are worth it...just like you were!

Creation Groans from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

What to wear, What to wear?

2011-11-02T05:07:00.001-07:00

For a kid like Zeke, Halloween brings a big dose of indecisivement. What is a boy to wear when playing dress-up is his favorite pastime? Well, the answer is, he chooses lots of things...

Here he chose Spider Man and gives us his best Spider Man face

Here, with his sassy 85 year old great grandmother, he chooses Iron Man, or as my grandfather said in all seriousness and confusion, "Who is cast-iron Man?"

Here, for his school wide dress up day, he chose Woody which worked out fabulously since his close friend chose Bullseye, unbeknowgst to us.

Here, Zeke chose Super Man to protect Strawberry Shortcake, atleast that's who she says she was. What a cute pair!

Super Man and his best buddy "Cole-Man". The dynamic duo!

Go Strawberry Shortcake down that slide made for big kids!

Hannah didn't QUITE make the cut, that's what happens when you take

pictures in the dark on a hayride.

Road Trip!!

2011-10-27T12:35:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we were able to drive up to PA (Philly area) to visit some very dear friends and "on the way there" Chris conveniently went to the Clemson/Maryland highscoring-win by the skin of our teeth-football game. Here's some blips from our trip...

We pull out the DVD players for long trips and it puts our kids, especially Miss I-didn't-blink-for-eight-hours, into a trance. Thank you library for your free DVD's, Backyardigans for keeping our two year old most happy with your upbeat, theatrical song and dance, and Fast Food playgrounds for your germs and energy burning climb-upons.

This is what I enjoyed for hours upon hours. It was DELIGHTFUL. Chris listened to Sports Talk and I read Jane Austen while gazing at the Shenandoah Valley in all its mountainous, pastoral glory. Pure autumn delight for this gal. Indeed Virginia is for Romantics.

Uncle Zuk took us to Ben Franklin's Science Institute! Thank you!!

That place was serious fun...even with one very cranky four year old...

I LOVE Philadelphia.

And I LOVE farms.
Uncle Zuk took us to this great apple/pumpkin/Christmas tree farm and it was good for the soul. The scenery was beautiful. I missed going to SkyTop in NC this year, but this TOTALLY made up for it. No crowds and maybe even more festive fall nostalgia. The only thing I could have lived without was the huge Elk hanging on the wall that crept up on me.

Mr. Cranky Pants

These were her apple babies she found on the ground. She didn't eat them.
Just held them and talked to them. Sounds kinda weird, but it was cute and very Hannah.

There's the smile!

So funny... "You are now entering the CRUM CREEK BASIN. We DRINK this water."
What???

Oh no he didn't. Uncle Zuk encouraged Hb to climb up on the railing by herself,

using the swing as leverage, then jump off like a flying squirrel.

And lastly, what would be a complete trip to Philly without Zeke being able to see his dearly beloved Liz. In all sincerity, we love these people and it fed our souls visiting with them.
Thanks Malvernians for refreshing the Mizes and giving us a boost!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

2011-10-27T11:47:00.000-07:00

Seriously. It's just a great time of year! This week has been glorious! The warm sun and the gentle autumn breeze. Ahhhh. It is so refreshing. And part of this being the most wonderful time of the year is football season! Going to Clemson is good for my soul. It's such a happy feeling seeing scores of people all around in ONE ACCORD, wearing the same colors, having the same hope for victory! All are cheering for the same thing, whooping and hollering for the same goal, encouraging and yelling out 'atta boys when the players need it most! My blood is pumping harder just talking about it. There is such a spiritual parallel here...and if you want to think I'm bonkers for comparing Clemson football to the Kingdom, go ahead and call me crazy!! There in the stadium we have one goal, we jump up and down in celebration, smiles spread across our faces in sheer joy, we yell so loud we lose our voices because we know EVERY voice matters! It does my body good to remember we are born to replicate the passion in the Saturday stadium into the Sunday through Fridays, too.
I don't have a good transition sentence and naptime is almost over, so onto a funnier note...

Look at those happy faces awaiting a FUN family Homecoming Saturday...note foreshadowing...

Doesn't that look like FUN...apply foreshadowing now. One minute in the stadium and I had complete regret on bringing a two year to the game. Not so fun.

She has no idea how much her daddy loves her. He is reading a princess book during a football game. Sure, it was a time out, but still, SERIOUS points for dad right there.

Good Tiger face there hero!

This is the stance of a man getting ready to catch a field goal kick. Cup in mouth, check. Knees bent slightly, check. Boxing out four year old, check.

"My, what a flexible child you have"

In Clemson, "the world is your playground" perfectly applies. Hb became a happy content child once again as soon as we exited the stadium.

Looka' deM-ize (Look at them eyes) in full affect.
That was the name my aunt thought we should have given to Zeke. She makes a good point.

Something funny, something yummy

2011-10-24T18:29:00.000-07:00

I mean this isn't necessarily the funny thing which I wanted to write about, but it is silly funny. Anyways, on to the adorable funny...
Zeke has gotten more and more interested in Firefighters and likes to dress up like them (surprise, surprise). This afternoon Z comes up to me dressed like a firefighter and says, "Mama, call me at 911 if you need me to come fight a fire for you and I'll rescue you. 912 is Daddy's number. He fights the smoke."
That's funny.

On to yummy. I am not a fan of squashes. You probably are supposed to say squash, but I don't care. I don't like it. Yellow squash, Butternut and Spaghetti, too. There's not enough cheese and condensed soup that can make that gourd good enough for me to eat. BUT, then I had Acorn squash like we had it tonight and everything changed. My friend told me about this and I thought, I'll give it a shot. Here's what you do:

Cut an acorn squash in half and cut a little off the bottom so it will sit up straight.
(P.S...One acorn squash served two people tonight)
Scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp and massage the insides with a smidge of butter.
Roast the acorns at 350 for 45 min or until they're tender.
Add a little bit more butter and APPLE BUTTER, maybe some salt to balance things.
You'll be able to eat the insides just like a baked white or sweet potato.
DELICIOUSNESS.

Anyone still out there?

2011-10-04T03:26:00.000-07:00

Well, for anyone still out there, here's a little of what we've been up to. We...

Went to see the Clemson Tigers win, win, and win again! I will say nothing more as not to jinx us.

Went to Wild Dunes with some very special friends from PA and NJ whom we LOVE to vacation with. These people are exceptionally fun. We only see them once a year, but we adore these people...and our kids do too!

Got A LOT of special attention

played in the water fountains with wild at heart uncle Zuk

and couldn't have been happier.

Pretended to be a statue

Ate low country the boil the traditional way

Entertained ourselves for hours on the beach

Ate food unconventionally

Got some much needed Katie and Zuk time

Started gymnastics. For real. Started taking Hb to gymnastics and she LOVES it. I love having that time for her to do chin ups, bear crawl across balance beams, flip, handstand, and log roll.

Played dress up...surprise, surprise, right?

Made homeade chocolate ice cream with Aunt Ya Ya Yee at the lakehouse.

Ate rock salt

Pretended to be a Clemson "football man"

Realized there's baby growing in Jess' tummy

Went to SCHOOL!!! K4 that is. And yes, I have boo hoo'd over it. If fact, atleast once a week in car line drop-off I tear up when I drive away. So true.

Again with the eating unconventionally. This WAS pizza.

Went to a dear friend's surprise 80's themed 3oth birthday party . She's the one dressed as JEM! Truly outrageous, truly truly truly outrageous!

I went with this fine fellow. I love any opportunity to pull out my Get In Shape Girl legwarmers and hair crimper.

Picked watermelons at my grandparents. Heave ho!

No big deal...It's only over half her size.

and threw walnuts at dad.

How was your September?

Let's talk about hair

2011-08-26T06:02:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I get the feeling like Hb's hair just isn't growing...
but then I remember we started out like this:

So, really this is something:

I am learning not to focus on length, but hair health. Her hair is coming in even (her bald patches are filled in), her hair is thick and I think, pretty healthy. I get asked a lot how I'm learning to fix her hair and that sort of thing. I read a lot of blogs. The ones I follow the most are on my blogroll. Those girls are GOOD at doing natural, curly hair. When I see a lady's hair or her child's hair and
I like it, I ask about their hair routine. We've even got a routine of our own.

We make our own deep conditioner (a mix of shea, coconut oil, aloe vera, honey, EVOO, and a good conditioner) and do that every two weeks or so, and typically our big "doing hair day" is Friday. We wash, usually just with conditioner, and style on that day. Since Hb's hair is so short, I have to restyle during the week, but it helps knowing I have a plan and I stick with the same hairstyle I put in on our "hair day." Her hair is too short for me to do elaborate braids and stuff, so we stick to what is easy. There's nothing that pulls my trigger more than spending an hour fixing her hair, only to have it covered in sand, dog hair, or just come undone b/c she's a typical two year who loves rolling around on the floor. I'm not willing to give up on the above typical two year old fun things, so we stick to easy-to-maintain styles.

The above is funny now, but it sho wasn't then.
Do you know how hard it is to get all those little hairs out? Makes me shudder to think about it.

We love free hair...hair that's not put into a typical protective style like braids or twist, etc. They're easy and I can do them over again during the week. They fit her sassy personality.

Look how long her hair really is! Those curls really shrink up, don't they?

The above is one of my favorite things to do with her hair. Two strand twists. They are easy and cute. After having them in overnight or even three to four days, we take them out and get another cute twist out hairstyle:

I love that I get to love my little girl by loving her hair. It's such a special thing in her ethnic culture and I really feel honored that I get to participate in it. Here's to natural hair!!!

V is for Victory!

2011-08-25T06:07:00.000-07:00

Let's just say the tenants have moved out...as far as I know. Mice are the kinds of things you think you've gotten rid of only to find out they've brought a few friends to sleep over, too. For now, I'm thinking positively about the subject.

I hate mice, part deux

2011-08-23T18:02:00.000-07:00

I HATE mice.

It seems to never fail, every Fall we get a couple new tenants. They are just terrible little creatures. Violators. Thieves. Sneaksters. Mannerless (They will poo ANYwhere). Why must they get under my skin like they do?! I mean, I have the smarts and means to set a D-Con trap and stop the vermin dead in his tracks, yet after one glimpse of the disgusting creature run across the floor and into a gap between the dishwasher and cabinet, all my confidence goes down the drain. I'm ridiculous enough to stand thusly (see above) to finish loading the dishwasher. Sheesh. Hopefully, tomorrow I will have a promising report that the D-Con has done its job.

watch me spin

2011-08-18T18:48:00.000-07:00

That Hannah, she so crazy, but we're the ones spinning her on the floor, soooo...

Kung Fu Party

2011-08-16T18:40:00.000-07:00

Rewind to August 2nd and Zeke turned four! He requested a Kung Fu Panda party with "just boys and Hannah" at Pittman Park. It was so fun. We had fun cut-out masks, a Pinata, and my sister made amazing Furious Five cupcakes and panda cake-pops. They were precious. I'll have to post those later...I managed not to get a shot of them. Whoopsy.

This pic is my favorite. It cracks me up. He's not wearing a shirt because Kung Fu Panda doesn't. If one thing's for sure, this kid will not slack on costume authenticity.

Little Tigress

Candy frenzy

Hi-Ya!!!

Gotcha Day!

2011-08-16T05:44:00.001-07:00

Happy Gotcha' Day Zeke!

Remembering four years ago
The excitement riding down I-85
The unknown...
What would his eyes look like,
What size would he be,
What does his cry sound like,
What shade is his skin,
What is his name...
Noah?
Jeremiah?
Ezekiel.
One look at him and any preexisting idea melted away...
the questions,
the way in which we'd imagined him,
the uncertainties.
Fudgesicle brown skin,
saucer sized eyes, alive and Dove dark chocolate brown,
chubby little cheeks, a strong neck that wanted to know.
The names we'd already created for him seemed to fit already...
Look-at-dem-mize
Phu-Zeke
Maxi-mize.
Remembering the mind-blowing joy, the roller coaster of
emotion, the heart-pounding nerves, the gut-wrenching
realization that life would
never be the same.
Remembering the privilege of adoption and
the joy it gives.

Homegrown Tomatoes

2011-08-11T17:07:00.001-07:00

Especially this time of year I have to agree with the Bluedogs when they say, "There's only two things that money can't buy; That's true love and homegrown tomatoes" and apparently I'm not the only one in our house in agreement.

The tomato bandit runs into the den and says, "Mmmm, I'm jus' eatin' my peach." Nope, that's not a peach, but God bless you for eating an entire tomato like one.

And speaking of the deliciousness of homegrown tomatoes, I have been eating lots of my Grandmother's tomato salad and I'm going to share how we make it. For most of you this will be amusing, the recipe, that is, because 8 in 10 of you will think this recipe sounds gross. I see friends posting their favorite recipes, so I will do thusly in this tomato themed post.

To make one such delicious tomato salad you peel and dice 3 tomatoes being careful to not lose any juice on your counter or down your dish drain; place in a bowl and salt them a tad. Next add one chopped boiled egg, a dollap of Duke's mayonnaise, and stir together. Just before you're about dig in, crush 6 or so Ritz crackers over the slurry...don't crush too many or they'll soak up all the precious tomato mayo juice. Pepper and devour.

Delicious. I don't care what you say!

Up her nose

2011-08-10T03:51:00.000-07:00

I used to love to listen to one of Sinbad's comedic stories where his daughter shoved an entire box of raisins into her nose. It was so funny and at the same time made me shudder to think of all those raisins up that small snout! Flash forward a handful of years in a house on Brown Rd. Look at that sweet little face...she's so cute and cuddly, kind of like Curious George...

...why does one think it's a good idea to put things up their nose? "Hmmm, look at this piece of string. This looks like it'd be a perfect fit for my nasal passage. I'll just try that out and see if it fits. Wow, that really itches up there and it sure makes me sneeze alot."

I turn to look at Hb and how is the first thought that comes to mind is, has she put something up her nose? One quick look and the boxful of raisin story comes back and I laugh a good laugh as I pull the string out, with tweezers, a string that felt like it kept coming and coming and coming. I wish you could've seen Hb's face as I pulled it out. Hilarious.

I mean, its not like a shoe string long size piece of string, but when it's shoved up a tiny person's nose, it ain't no sewing thread.

Bunkbed birthday

2011-08-04T18:45:00.000-07:00

The Zekester did indeed turn four this week and for months he's been asking for a bunk bed...I might have planted that seed there. I always wanted bunk beds growing up, especially the ones like Willis and Arnold had on Diff'rent Strokes which were perpendicular to one another. So, Sunday afternoon Zeke's bed "went to the doctor to get fixed", a half truth which alleviated his tears as he did not understand why daddy was taking his bed away.

There was nothing but smiles the next day when he walked into his room to find one super fun bunkbed loft. (The people we bought it from built it as a bunkbed, but set it up as a loft to maximize space since we don't HAVE to have room for two yet.) He climbed up top and exclaimed, "I'm so up here and the carpet is so down there!"

He started out on the top bunk, but thirty minutes after we put him to bed he was boo-hooing that he was scared to be up so high. Off came the couch cushions and he slept on them underneath the top bunk. Nevertheless he and Hb, too, think they are great fun and they make such a cool fort. He's happy and so is 8 year old Katie.

Happy Birthday Zeke!

2011-08-01T20:40:00.000-07:00

How is my three year old four?! This kids is something else. He brings a smile to my face, warms my heart, is such a sweetie, is highly emotional...I don't know anyone like that around here..., is always in character and I mean ALWAYS, has an adorable laugh and a tender heart....I mean I could go on and on. I'm feeling especially blessed today thinking of how God let me be his mama.

A long time coming

2011-07-26T04:48:00.000-07:00

Yes, this has been a long time coming. Two and half years or more, actually. It's a poem I wrote, you see, and I've been nervous to put something I wrote, you know something that was intentional and from the depths of my hearts, onto the blog. But my friends, the time has come. I think it'll be good for me and it's been on my heart to do it for over a year and I've just shied away from it, so here goes...

Be

If I was a doctor would You love me all the same?

A teacher, preacher, executive,

Would You give me any other name?

If I moved across the ocean blue to spread Your name’s great fame,

Or settled in a safe suburban town to stand upon Your claims,

Would You love me deeper, longer, truer,

Or compare me, remind me that I must be a doer?

No dear Father, Your word speaks loud and true to my heart,

I’m not what I say or do,

But what I am in You, I’m written on Your heart.

I am a shining star,

A beacon of light,

Your glory rests upon my head.

You’ve sealed me in and hold me tight, never to leave my side.

In day, in night, when I don’t measure up,

When I’m weighty with humility,

You lift me up in the palm of Your hand,

Breathe life and hope into this dry and weary land.

In You there is no measuring stick of who and do and go,

But only love, mercy, and grace

To be, and see, and know.

If I would just remember these truths all the time and not let the annoyances of life fluster and frazzle me. Ah, but life does happen and when it does I am anything but the child adopted and grafted into a good Father's perfect love. But isn't that glorious, too, that I can be reminded to just stand back up. I've had to remind myself of that a lot lately; get back up. It's the last part of our armor...remembering to stand (Eph 6:13). My identity is not about what I do, it's about whose I am. I will try to remember that today.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. You're a real trooper.

Beach time!

2011-07-24T19:16:00.000-07:00

I don't know whether its the +100 degree heat index or what, but I just don't know what to say these days! We're sizzling over here! And wouldn't you know the pool pump and pool vacuum decided to go out just when we needed them the most. However, on a happier note, we did steal away to Wild Dunes in June with my family and it was fun times.
Here's a glimpse into that fun time...

Now that's a Christmas in July miracle...everyone is smiling and at the camera, too!

Twinkle toes cracks us up.

Some boys conveniently dug a huge hole the previous day and my sister found a long board and Oila! A pirate ship complete with a plank is birthed. That hole brought many hours of fun to my kids.

Kids R Funny

2011-07-08T19:02:00.000-07:00

Jessie and Woody are back! For a limited time only of course, because about ten minutes after this picture Jessie pee'd in her shiny red boots. Well then.

She's at it again! Climbing and hanging around!

Kick hard little fishy! Z's been really into swimming in the pool sans swimmies and with his big eyes wide open under the water. We got to get some goggles for the man-cub!

I wondered why Z wanted his belt outside with him one morning, but just thought he'd put it on as his Superman belt or something. As I poked my head out the back door for my routine kid-check I noticed the little fellow found a smooth stone and wedged it under the strap. He'd just begun to whirl his belt in the air three feet from the glass door when I yell out, "STOP!" And then I actually asked "What are you doing?" His response, "I'm David and I'm gonna shite Go-why-ush." Funny little character we've got on our hands. I love that kid.

Oh say what a May!

2011-06-11T12:57:00.002-07:00

Oh May, how I miss your cooler mornings and pleasant afternoons. In May we...

...swung from vines. We saw a lot of Tarzan. You like that orange and pink loin cloth don't you? He has a brown one, too. Characters and costumes are still a daily routine ranging from Tarzan to Larry the Cucumber and any one in between. Make a good solid impression on him and he may pretend to be YOU one afternoon, you just never know.

The brave little lassie doing what she do best

My sister friend, coined BBB by my kiddos, got married to Mr. BBB and the event was more fun than I had always imagined it being. From glowing rings to full moons, the event was a happy one to say the least.

And Hb was the flower girl and a pretty one at that. She was so pleased with the princess she transformed into. I love this picture. At the rehearsal she was hamming it up with everyone and I breathed a sigh of relief that perhaps she would make it down the isle in one piece on the big day. Then the big day came and she clammed up tighter than, well, a clam. Luckily she did make it down, but I was begging, I mean, motioning her down at the other end of the isle. At the reception she put a grip on Chris and me that rivaled the Jaws of Life.

i.e Jaws of Life

Z on the other hand might have enjoyed himself more than the Bride and Groom. He was posing with the life size Justin Bieber cut-out and dancin' with all the available ladies all night long.

Mr. Dashing himself, the hat was his idea fyi.

Hannah was dedicated at our home church on Mother's Day (what beautiful timing) since, maybe you've heard, she's an official MIZE! Woo hoo!

Get this...the white dress she has on is the actual dress she wore to her first dedication way back in August 2008. The day we brought Hb home from Greenwood, her birthmother wanted to have her dedicated to the Lord and to us and this is the dress she wore in that service. It has her birthmother's monogram, my monogram, and Hb's birthname monogrammed on the hem of it. What an amazing thing that the dress still fit her and she was able to wear it again.
I LOVED that.

Mother's Day with my mom and all her babies. Just to clarify... some are my cousins, but the way my mom rolls, if you're her niece, nephew, or one of her kid's friends, you're like a pseudo grandchild. By the way, Chris wear'd your face go?

Remember that feat of strength?

And then we went to the lake. Here's Z with one of his heroes, cousin Charlie.

Happy to be swimming in the lake! Summer heat, maybe you're not so bad after all. If it means long days at the lake, mornings and afternoons in the pool, and weeks to the beach, bring it on with your 100 degree heat!

What glorious hair!!

2011-06-08T12:46:00.000-07:00

Seriously, that Hb has some glorious hair. It never ceases to amaze me. I mean, can your hair defy gravity? My hair sure can't. Though it has been and is quite the learning curve to my only slightly wavy hair, I've come to appreciate textured hair with all its ups and downs. Hb's hair is made up of zillions of tiny perfectly tendrilled curls, so tiny that if not moisturized properly they'll end up frizzy and knotted, and even THEN, we love that glorious hair. I'm learning and studying from those that I think do it well (many of them have blogs listed there to the right) and still have a lot to learn. Cornrowing, plaiting, two strand twisting, parting, co-washing, these words have become normal in our house. I'm the only one who understands it most of the time, but nevertheless they're here. So, here's to you Hb and your cutie curls! Girl, all of your hair is good!

How'd she get in that swing?!

2011-05-24T20:33:00.000-07:00

We looked outside the window tonight and saw two year old Hb sitting in the infant swing buckling herself in...how in the heck did she get in that swing? I mean our three year old Mr. Incredible is strong, but not that strong. We asked her to show us and this is what we got...I don't think this is normal...

Hb's got hops!

2011-05-24T20:27:00.000-07:00

You'll be tempted to think Chris was pulling the lightweight up onto his shoulders, but do not be deceived...he merely provided a little boing, a jumpstart if you will, for this child has springs in her legs.

National Foster Care Month

2011-05-23T19:07:00.000-07:00

Did you know May is National Foster Care Month??? Well, it is!

I bet you didn't know this...

There are nearly 5,000 children in foster care in South Carolina. That's right. Nearly FIVE THOUSAND. And to make matters worse, there's not near enough foster families to provide a safe and stable and environment for those young hearts.

Have you ever checked out the SC Heart Gallery? Just do it. You won't regret it. Please pray for these children all over our state that deserve a safe haven and a forever home...

Introducing....

2011-05-01T19:27:00.001-07:00

Hannah MIZE!!!
It's officially official! Our adoption of Hannah Belle is finalized!
Father has fought for this beautiful sweetheart. He has won the victory. He has gone before us into the battlefield, won the victory, and given us the prize. What a GOOD God.

"You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you."
2 Chronicles 20:17

Sealed

2011-04-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into the bondage of fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons and daughters, by whom we cry blissfully, "Abba! Father!" Romans 8:15

A page has turned in the battle for our daughter and God has done it all. She is unofficially official (we still have to do Adoption Decree stuff), so she is not legally a Mize as of yet.

These are the words that are listed on Adoption Decrees. As I read them today relishing in what this means for sweet Belle, I couldn't help thinking about my own adoption to Father God.

"biological rights in and to her terminated and forever barred"...in Christ, that which we were formally bonded to is FOREVERMORE BARRED.

"IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the name of the minor Defendant shall be changed"...He gives us a new name...literally.

"IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the papers and records of this adoption shall be sealed"...we are sealed with a promise (Eph 1:13), bound and bonded to Father.

Glory to God! God's fingerprints are EVERYWHERE. What a joy to be adopted into His love...even as I write this, you know what's playing on the radio? Mark Schultz' "Everything to Me"...a song about being physically and spiritually adopted...I'm not even kidding. I'll soak this one up.

"IT IS SO ORDERED."

Who done it?

2011-04-18T17:54:00.000-07:00

That is a lot of sand. A whole bowl full actually. When asked who done it, neither child would fess up. Each said they didn't do it. I'm surprised they didn't blame it on Luda, the dog. So, here the victim sits, in a cooler.

"Hannah, did you put sand in your hair?"

"Hannah, listen to me. Did you put sand in your hair?"

"Hannah! Did you put sand in your hair?"

Good grief.

Just a reminder...

2011-04-18T17:34:00.000-07:00

...if you decide to bake a cupcake in the microwave, it doesn't take as long as you think.

Shenanigans etcetera

2011-03-16T17:12:00.000-07:00

Goodness knows we've had our share of shenanigans lately. It's like whatever I say not to do, they do, for crying out loud! In an attempt to stay positive in this moment I'll chalk their disobedience up to curiosity and in that case, my what bright children I have! My nerves are shot today, I'll save the endearing "I love being a stay at home mom" post for another time.

What part of "Don't play in the water" and "Don't play on top of the sandbox" isn't clear?

Don't let that adorable quivering lip fool you.

I don't mind the kiddos getting dirty, it's fun to get cruddy in the mud. I get that. HOWEVER, this scene took place right behind the pool and what you don't see is Hannah playing in the pool pump hence all the mud.
Note: the pool pump is not dangerous, just not a fitting play place

Notice that orangey splotch around the hairline... Carolina red dirt. If there's mud that close to the hairline you better believe there's dirt IN the hair, too. Dirt and sand in those curly locks do not fare well together...seriously, atleast a week later we were still scrubbing out a gritty head. It's definitely not boring figuring out how to manage her glorious hair.

Who cares if it's low 50's outside? If you're covered in dirt from head to toe,
sounds to me like you need a good hosing off.

Anybody out there recognize this? Whoopsies. I'd like to blame this on the kids, but it seems I'm the one changing diapers around here. So yes, that is what happens when the item below gets thrown into the wash cycle. Perfect illustration for the term "Swoll up".

Onto a more cheerful side of my psyche, here's Zeke the Wonder, donned in cowboy attire, cape, and skullcap and below an adorable fire fighter.

And lastly, here's Zeke in the toilet. Pure to the tee Tomfoolery.

I'm Spiicy!

2011-03-06T11:30:00.000-08:00

I know, we're terrible. Actually, I will place all blame on my groom, whom is notorious for testing accuracies of the Scoville scale on young palettes. Bless her heart.

Zeke's First Rollercoaster

2011-03-06T11:14:00.000-08:00

Zeke's first rollercoaster with Mom at the Magic Kingdom. Love how my hands go down to grip the bar before Zeke's do. Don't be fooled by that panicky face...we rode it three more times after this one.

Disney World

2011-03-03T12:48:00.000-08:00

Ahhhhh. Disney World. Now THAT was a fun trip. We were nervous the kids were too young (Z 3.5 and Hb 2), as people tend to give lots of advice surrounding when to take your kids to DW for the first time. Well, I'm glad we listened to our friends, because we had an amazing time. I would go back RIGHT NOW. At the drop of a hat I'd pack the car up with a dozen costumes and enough stuff to stay in Central Florida for a month. Seriously, it was a fantastic vacation for our little ones. I mean, we definitely had to mold the trip around their needs, the adults way outnumbered the kiddos, we stayed in a house with plenty of space, we took breaks from the park everyday, picked our battles very carefully, and had to remind ourselves (i.e. myself) to reeellaaax all the time, but it was worth it. Because of all the dog-whistle pitched squeals, exuberant hand claps, starstruck look in their eyes, ear-to-ear smiles, and car rides jamming to Tarzan's "Son of Man" we will make this a more frequent vacation and thusly we will go through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University because Disney ain't cheap. I only posted a handful of pictures because it overwhelms me having to go through all of them for this blog. If you want to see more, bring yourself to the house.

Some fave moments:
Zeke tipping his Woody cowboy hat to Princess Tiana when he first met her
Zeke not wanting to wear his Buzz costume to meet Buzz because "that's HIS outfit, I'll just wear his shirt"
Watching the kids experience the magic every time a parade rolled through the streets
Riding Splash Mtn with Liss, Chris, and Zeke...oh yeah, he said Sixty foot drop I'm ready for you! I mean he didn't technically SAY it, but his actions did.
Laughing HARD with my sis Liss
Soaking my aching tootsies in the hot tub every night
Coming home with a tan in the beginning of February

Give thaaaanks with a grateful heart

2011-01-18T19:17:00.000-08:00

Zeke usually shies away from saying the blessing at dinner, but tonight he jumped right in. Here is how it went:
"Handa, hold my hand."
"No, I don't want to hold Zeke's hand."

He lets the rejection from her roll right off...shocking really, then proceeds with this...

"God.. bless our food.......... bless our family.......bless our house, God bless America [you'll want to sing this part] to the oceans, to the city, to the mountains..... to Clemson,...... thank you for those things...what's those things called over there...our cash registers, our beds...Amen."

So funny to me.

Snow much fun...twice!

2011-01-14T11:57:00.001-08:00

Two great snows so close together. The White Christmas was the first one in like 47 years and it was glorious... So dreamy. Here's our first snow in pictures:

He's a hugger, what can I say? Poor Hannah.

Ow ow!! That's sayx-eey!

End of snow one...beginning of snow number two. Lots and lots of snow. It was beautiful. Until the next day when the thick sheet of ice settled over the top of the powder. Zeke loved throwing the sheets of glass, I mean ice, and hearing them shatter.

It was so fun that Chris got to stay home with us. Thanks Wells Fargo. We spent the day with good friends, our snow tradition. Hannah missed out on much of the snow due to naptime, deep snow that was hard for short legs to plow through thus lots of faceplants, and meltdowns due to the aforementioned. Chris and Zeke went to Holly Tree golfcourse and sledded for hours with the big kids.

Zeke and JoAnna, she 's the one with the neon orange man hand mittens.

Karen, me, Lindsey, and JoAnna

The mamas got some sled time in the backyard after the dads got home from the golf course. It wasn't quite the golf course, but we had fun while the dads were stuck with hungry cranky kids. Nothing says snow day like hot chocolate, sledding in freezing rain, kids crying because of "frostbitten" hands, Wii Just Dance, chili, and staying in your pj's all day.

A costume kind of Christmas

2011-01-14T11:06:00.000-08:00

Yes, it was indeed a costume Christmas. The picture below isn't even of Christmas Day, it was just a taste from Aunt Gigi and Uncle Lucian of what Santa would bring a couple days later. Now THAT is a snazzy Woody costume.

"What the heck has she got on?" says Parker, the cutie in the middle of my two cowkids.

Hannah Belle's great-grandparents got her just what one well-balanced two year old needs:
a two year old sized balance board. Now isn't that neat.

Mimi and Papa George helped out in the costume Christmas theme, too, with dynamite Fireman costume...and Zeke DOES have the hat on backwards. We've all tried to reform him, but he persists that he likes it that way, he doesn't want to protect his neck from the fire. Cousin Cayden looking good in his police costume. They were a tight emergency squad in those gettups.

It was SO fun this Christmas! Zeke was SO excited going to bed and was super excited when he woke up. Hannah isn't in the picture because she slept til almost 10am! That might be the last year that happens on Christmas morning.

Oh yeah, show us those muscles Superman. A sweet friend handed us down multiple awesome costumes that Zeke got on Christmas morning. He was in hog heaven. And still is. He is crazy about those costumes. Thanks Rachel, I mean Santa.

Even Hannah got some dress upstuff. Mimi got her some cute kitchen stuff and Santa brought her a cute little kitchen. I love getting more pink stuff in the house. This Christmas was the best one yet. It was so fun watching them and enjoying the day with these two kiddos. Not to mention the magical snow. What a great holiday!

A few weeks before Christmas Zeke got on the big Iron Man kick. Its amazing what a kid will pick up in Walmart. So, he pulled what the modern world knows to be a Power Ranger costume, but he made up his mind it was an Iron Man costume. Like he knows what a Power Ranger is...Iron Man it is!

Minnie Mouse is ready for Disney World...we're heading there in February. That's hilarious...the picture, not the DW trip. Grandmothers, especially ones whose names begin with a Di and end in a Anne get a little crasee with the gifts. Hannah doesn't seem to mind.

Justin Beiber singing doll

2010-12-21T07:24:00.000-08:00

Walking into Walmart, Zeke catches eyes with Justin Beiber, the singing doll. You press his belt buckle and he sings...so all the way home guess who Zeke is, even down to the hip sideways hat? Here's a sample of our very own Justin singing doll. And NO I did not put him up to this.

some of our December

2010-12-20T10:53:00.000-08:00

Can you believe I didn't take my camera to Hollywild? Good grief. For all of you that do not reside in the upstate, Hollywild is a zoo kind of place that houses all kinds of animals from lions to cows. Some of the animals there are trained for movies and stuff. And at Christmas they string lights around the whole place and you drive your car through...but the BEST part is the "Deer Forest" where you roll your windows down and hold onto your kids by the ankles so they don't fling their bodies out to the animals (hannah) and feed the deer, horses, zebras, za-donk (that's part donkey, part zebra) and mutant cows. And by mutant cows, I mean they are GINORMOUS. They are as tall as our large SUV, seriously. And those mammoth beasts stick their entire heads, heads the size of large SUV windows, into your car to get more stale bread. Its seriously HILARIOUS and will make you want to wet your pants 'cause your laughing so hard and shimmy back to the cargo space at the same time. I can't believe I didn't get it on camera, because I feel like some of you think I'm being dramatic.

We're friends, enjoying life and graham crackers.

Zeke likes to fold his tall body underneath an ottoman...not one of these new large and in charge ottomans that's used to hold toys, magazines, blankets, and beverages...the old kind of normal proportions you'd use to kick your feet up on.

playing in sheet tents

Hannah's hair is on the grow! I've been playing with it, trying to do fun things. Cornrows are so tricky! I am amazed at how women do this. Its LIKE doing a french-braid, sure, except you hold tiny amounts of hair at one time and have to work magic fingers. I will keep practicing. I will not give up. But for now, look at those cute little puffies! It's like a side ponytail gone wild!

Here is Zeke going to play "shootball"...pronounced oo in book.

Oh, and here is Zeke ready for work...

And here is Zeke dressed like a penguin...the bowtie was his idea...one of Hannah's ribbons he found and requested to be donned at the neck.

We love the Tom the cat app...Hannah will cackle at that feline. I mean, I love him, too, I'm not going to pretend I don't. I LOVE to make him copy what I say, whether it's an Alvin and the Chipmunks tune or a Lou Holtz impression.

Just contently playing with one of Zeke's new toys. What a fun plane.

After Zeke realized I was having more fun with his new plane than he was.
I'm so mad I could do a split...she really is so limber.

Happy Birthweek Hannah Belle

2010-12-02T06:03:00.000-08:00

This week Hannah turned two! Crazy, crazy. Happy Birthday to that crazy, sweet, snuggly, funny, well-balanced, almond- eyed, curly- haired cutie!

Deep thoughts with Zeke:

"It's a real movie, but it's not real."

Gross moments with Hannah:
I looked back to her carseat and she looked like she was snacking on something. Hmmm. Then she took her tiny little pointer and started picking at the bottom of her shoe. Hmmm. Then she proceeds to lift her whole foot towards her mouth and lick, lick, lick the bottom of her shoe. I scream stop, she cries. Eww.

Birthday yogurt; get it girl!!

Oh Hannah

2010-11-28T20:32:00.000-08:00

Hannah cracks me up. She loves running in circles and boots. Here she is swinging herself "faster" in a circle...Zeke is blowing a whistle with his finger, she falls down, but I'm not worried, she's resilient, but "Oh no!" What's the matter? "Dirty." As in her boots are dirty. It gets funnier and funnier to me, because this is so Hannah. She is rough and tumble and loves hanging by her ankles and jumping off high buildings, but uh-uh don't let her boots get dirty.

The past few weeks...

2010-11-28T19:22:00.000-08:00

The last few weeks we've been...

Wearing lots of Superhero attire, all day every day.

Ruined a skillet by melting this poor ducky on the bottom. He used to be a wisk. Poor guy, doesn't he looked kerflummexed?

This picture is so pretty to me, it helps numb the annoyance of a ruff season.
Yes, I meant to bark.

Looks like the lady folk aren't the only ones dipping their pants into their boots.

Took a trip back to the SC Botanical Gardens with mom and sis. This place is worth a trip to Clemson...come spring you should definitely try to get up there and tromp around...unless you live in like Belgium or something.

We visited The GA Aquarium...SO FUN. Wow-wee that place is so NEAT!!! My favorite part was the huge tank with the ginormous fish/whales/sharks/rays....

My least favorite part of the aquarium. Sticky Goooo! Who knew she would turn that color? I think they used indigo to color that thing.

We, and I do mean "we", played in the crunchy yummy smoky fall foliage.

We jumped off of things, as usual. And this time, by "we" I mean Hannah.

The youngest practiced hanging upside down, played in rotten leaf water, and still can't nail down when to use "yethhh" (yes) and "no" correctly.

A sweet friend gave us a boxful of costumes, so we're really not wearing "normal" clothes anymore. Here is Zeke giving us his best Mr. Incredible pose.

We ate too much and got super sleepy.

The fun people in these last two pictures were the redeeming part of a stink-stank-stunky game. We didn't get near as many looks with that crazy coat on this game as we did last year when Chris wore the same crazy coat and was pushing around a double stroller with two African American kids in it. Ha! I love it.

National Adoption Month

2010-11-15T18:09:00.000-08:00

November is National Adoption Month! Here's some factoids for us:

How many children were in US foster care on September 30, 2009? 423,773

25% of them were adoptable...102,615

In 2009, there were over 12,000 international adoptions to the USA

I wish I had some good facts for Private Domestic Adoption, but I do not.

Interested in SC domestic adoption? Check this site out:
www.scheartgallery.org

God bless America

2010-10-31T19:22:00.000-07:00

This is Zeke's own rendition of the song. Let me make this clear...it sounds NOTHING like the original, but I'm 300% sure he's trying to go for it. He's been singing it since we picked up Alissa from the airport. He changes the words often, but usually there's always the word "city" and "praise the Lord" in there somewhere. I love the throat clearing at the end.

We heart costumes

2010-10-31T18:52:00.001-07:00

This has been a fun day. We went to see Grandaddy, Di, and Ya Ya Yee (Alissa) and then to a Fall Festival with friends, and of COURSE Zeke's been talking about dressing up for the past 24 hours. I secretly ordered a Buzz and a Spiderman costume, because he kept going back and forth on what he wanted to be. Looks like someone's getting a Spider Man costume for Christmas! Zeke was in hog heave in his costume. He really wanted to wear it to church, but we draw the line, oh yes we do. I'm sure he'll be in the thing all week long. Zeke was bummed when he realized Hannah was going as a flower, he protested that she was supposed to be Jessie, as in the Yodeling Cowgirl. Nope.

That's hystarious.

This is what preceded this face: "Zeke, make your best Buzz Lightyear face." Hmmm, looks like What choo talkin bout Willis/Evil eye = Buzz Lightyear. Who knew?

Somebody's excited about candy!!! And velcro chin straps!

Sweet little Hannah is good at pulling her face, especially at picture time.

Happy happy Zeke, I mean he's dressed in an awesome Buzz outfit, has a cup filled with non-watered down juice, just ate vienna sausages and cotton candy with his bff coleman (yes we eat viennas and sometimes cheer for them, shame me if you must), rode a hayride, and finished the day off with a ride home in his very own rocket seat.

Welcome home seester!

2010-10-31T18:34:00.000-07:00

We had a welcome home party at my mom's house just recently for my sister, who just came home from being in Uganda since January of 2009. It was such a fun time, my mom and dad have such a great backyard. She and her friends made it glorious. She has outdoor lamps and white lights hanging up and a firepit...it was so cozy and nostalgic and just delicious to me. Good times with good friends, ahhh.

Here's something that should make a comeback in mass proportions...Big Wheels. It's tricky to find one, I tell ya. There's just nothing quite like a Big Wheel, especially on a slanted driveway with an older cousin to give you a good starting push. And check out the backdrop btw, isn't that background beautiful, thumbs up to a great backyard Di.

Hannah was rocking her handmade Ugandan dress and propeller bow

The eldest and I had a knock down drag out about the outfit. He has like four really cool African outfits but he REFUSED to wear them, I wrestled him to just try them on. Then my lightbulb went off that he could just dress up as an African animal. Ha. I still dressed him festive and he didn't even see it coming. Boom. Roasted.

Fall Retreat and Reunion

2010-10-26T18:18:00.000-07:00

We had such an amazing fall vacation/reunion with friends last week. Chris' college friends have become my friends, too, and I just love them all. It was so much fun to veg out with them last week at Lake Hartwell just minutes from the Clemson campus. Zeke had a playmate all week long which felt magical, Hannah was a ham and supplied much entertainment, I got to hang out with girlfriends that I don't get to see nearly enough, Chris got to play ball in Littlejohn and golf with his buds, what else can I say? We laughed hard and ate a lot of Break and Bakes. Good times. There were way too many pictures from the week so I picked a few to highlight the fun times that were had.

If only Uncle Zuk could throw him higher

The Botanical Gardens in Clemson are SO, MUCH, FUN. Even if you don't like Clemson, crazy as you are, you would like this. So much to see and explore. And so many good pictures to take!

MY SISTER CAME HOME FROM UGANDA!!!! Woo hoo! After almost two years we welcomed her home, not to mention she met that dear niece of hers.
See what I mean, what a great week we had!

We ended the week with a tailgate reunion in Clemson with Chris' buddies. So crazy to see your kids and college friends' kids playing together. My, how the years pass quickly. Sigh.

I even got to see a few of my college friends and their offspring, look at this cute little Ellie playing in the Liriope with Belle. That's Monkey Grass for all you who didn't take that Horticulture class.

Sesame Street Live

2010-10-16T17:48:00.000-07:00

"Heeeelp. I stuck." literally her words, verbatim.

Sooooooo, excited to see Elmo!

"Elmo, wherw aw you?" I really like three year olds, they say and do funny things.

Look at Hannah Belle, she's looking at Zeke like, "How are you so calm and happy?" I asked her if she wanted to sit with Zoe and she said, "Nope." She reluctantly gave in to peer pressure.

The look of sheer delight and squeals of excitement made me so happy, it made us laugh out loud to see them in such bliss!!!

EVERY time Elmo would come on stage, she would point like this and stick her legs straight out like boards and squeal like a high pitched dog whistle.

I was BEAMING ear to ear the whole show, myself. It was as much fun as I remembered having as a kid. I had a "senior moment" as Prairie Dawn came out and Zeke leaned over and asked, "Who's that? What's her name?" Come on! She was big stuff back in the day!

I love these two pics! Look at that happy face! When we were leaving, I asked Zeke what his favorite part was and this is what was said,"Danshing wif Pweh-wie Dawn. What was on her head?" "That was a headband." "Oh. She looked like a pwincess and I was special." So, he felt chosen by a princess, that's stinkin' adorable.

Waving goodbye. Look at that curly head.

Dress up

2010-10-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

Lately we are wild, hee hee, about dress up. Zeke is LOVING superheros. We recently went to a friend's birthday party where you were to dress up like your favorite animal. Hannah was a tiger by default, but Zeke did choose to be a leopard. Seemed kinda random to me at first, but then again he is a big Tarzan fan. Nothing says animal like homemade animal shirts.

The little tigress

They both had little tails, I wish you could see them in this picture. Can you believe my mom found a leopard/cheetah tail and mask!? Who knew?

Nothe.

Zeke was loving being able to freely RARRR whenever he wanted

Daily Life

2010-10-09T19:52:00.000-07:00

I just realized I've had back to back gross posts. Sorry about that, maybe things will get less disturbing around here, but not likely.

What is.....is that what.....yesh.Yes, it is poop.

That particular day Hannah had a super sandy hour in the sand box and was getting her scalp micro-dermabrasioned, I mean her hair washed, and apparently was so relaxed she left a little fecal matter in the tub. So, here's where it gets funky. We got home that night and were going upstairs and I noticed a stanky smell, but figured Zeke forgot to flush. To the bathroom we go and start to brush Zeke's teeth and I look around to the tub and say, "Why is there POOP in the TUB?! Who put that there?" (Oh, the things you say when you're flustered) And Zeke answers, "Hannah did it." "When did she do it?" "When you was washing her hay-yer." Glory. I should be used to this with her, this ain't her first tub poop, yet every time it's just as gross.

A handful of dizzie dummies; in reference to WipeOut, not slamming three year olds

Jessie: "I told you if you climb up here again I'm gonna stick my fingers up your face. Next time it'll be this here red crayon."

Woody: "Are you just gonna stand there?"
Pretty much. Look. I feel like a broken record most days. We get plenty of battles around these parts, sometimes they just need to work it out and walk it out, DJ Unk. Natural consequences, that's what we'll call it.

Boom Boom Pow

2010-10-08T05:21:00.000-07:00

After morning to morning waking up to a mouse trap with the peanut butter eaten off yet no mouse trapped and turquoise turds strewn about, I'm overjoyed to say we finally got the jackleg. Zeke and I did a victory lap to the tune of Ding Dong the Mouse is dead and all Zeke could say was, "He not going to eat my marshmallows anymore?" If anybody's looking for a trap that works...this one does! Woo Hoo and Praise JESUS!! We'll set it out again tonight to be on the safe side =)

I hate mice

2010-10-05T12:14:00.001-07:00

Yes I do. They are so violating. They make you feel dirty, they are dirty, and they make things dirty. Sick. I am gun-shy to get into the pantry because my overactive imagination pictures him jumping from behind the can of beans and onto my face. The cake carrier is still out on the oven because I don't want him to scurry out as I am cramming the carrier back into its rightful place. Sheesh! Our first (and free) act to terminate him was a turquoise cube of death (or poison) my mom gave us...put it out and the mouse will come a'nibblin' and then will go back to where'st he came from and die peacefully. Well, just a little while ago I was getting some tupperware out and thought, hmmm, are those sprinkles down there? Turquoise sprinkles? Nope. Turquoise turds. Now that's just nasty, yet I laugh. Little did we know it's not a cube of death, but apparently Turquoise Delight. Little house mouse, you will not win!!!!

rare family talent

2010-09-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

I only wish this video could capture how very funny these two were singing in the lake.

Tiger weekends

2010-09-26T18:18:00.001-07:00

Where's Waldo?

Give us a RAR, Zeke!!!

If I could just get him to open his eyes wider for pictures

"I hep."

How nice of Batman to share the treats with the youngin'

This makes me think about our good friend Mark Ables and his love of Rice Krispie treats warm and gooey right out of the mixing bowl; Mark, buddy, you have a kindred soul.

Just sitting down for a little reading with Jesus

His first eraser painted paw

Man, he was PROUD of it! He cried that night when he realized it was gone...

...and on the other spectrum, she is TICKED. Look at her glaring at me!

Just in case you didn't get a good enough look at the scowl.

How does one sleep like that at a loud touchdown scoring football game? It's not like it was the fourth quarter, this was taken just a few minutes after kick-off!

Early Sept pics

2010-09-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

Hannah wears this scarf sometimes...I'm trying to get her used to wearing something on her head while she sleeps, it doesn't stay on for long, but she thinks its fun and it sure is cute!

And of COURSE Zeke won't be outdone with a Hannah getting to wearing a spiffy scarf, thus:

Awww, that's sweet.

Sike. Hannah smell my feet!

"ha, ha!! I am sooooo funny! I am soooo your typical older brother!" Notice her left hand though...yes, indeedy, it is reared back to give him a swack!
And he wondered what had happened? Silly boys.

Ahoy Matey!

2010-09-20T12:16:00.001-07:00

"...would you believe that just right up the street we found Larry's pirate ship? (although there was no identifying sign or name telling us that it was indeed Larry the Cucumber's pirate ship, there was no fooling Zeke, who wore his Larry pirate shirt to boot, and shouted as soon as the ship was in sight..."It's Larry's pirate ship!")"

This above is quoted from my cousin Jessica's blog. We had a SUPER short visit down their way, they took us in, fed us delicious pancakes, and then COMPLETELY entertained the kids! It was GREAT! Jess and Mike know what the Zeke man likes as they took us to a Pirate Playground.

Note that dad is not holding her. This girl has abs of steel...she'll try to do a pull up on anything.

From Jess: "Hannah saw these "big girls" on the tire swing while their daddy was pushing them. She stood and watched and kept getting closer and closer with this obvious longing in her eyes saying "me too." So the dad picked her up and put her on there too and off the 3 of them went swinging and spinning, and spinning, and spinning, and giggling to their hearts' desires..."
Then we laughed and laughed as she tried to walk a straight line.

Holy Big Picture Batman! I don't know how to fix that nor how it happened.

Party People

2010-09-01T17:56:00.000-07:00

Now who could of done that?

We've been busy celebrating this month with Gotcha' Days and a happy birthday to Zeke. It was fun to have Mimi and Papa George coincidentally be in town for Zeke's Gotcha' Day. It made it really special to have them and my parents over to celebrate. He really got into Gotcha' Day this year which made it even more special for all of us.

I wish this picture had a voice, because the one in the picture was saying in a high- frequency- freak-out tone, "Hep me! Hep me!"

Yes, those are flustered brows

Looking a Zeke's Homecoming book

Sand and Such

2010-09-01T17:17:00.000-07:00

Something came out of Hannah's mouth yesterday and I did a double take and said, "Surely she didn't just say that. It seems too early." Nope. It's one of those things that's KIND OF endearing at first, but quickly becomes annoying. It went something like this, "You can't have candy right now, Hannah." Her response..."Why?" (Except it came out high pitched with a shrill) She has said it a gracious plenty today and every time I think, "21 months. Seriously?" Unfortunately, I guess, many times I just give the coin answer, "Because I said so." That kid cracks me up. If only I could have that attitude in the daytime when I want to go B-A-N-A-N-A-S.

Di and Grandaddy gave Zeke a sandbox for his birthday and it has been super fun. Hannah is especially thankful and loves getting sand any and everywhere.

For as miserable as she looks here, you'd think she wouldn't want to go face first into the sand again, but alas, she keeps at it. Yesterday I looked over and she had just dumped a mess into her densely curled hair and was in the process of scooping a cupful into her mouth. Needless to say, I quickly figured out why that poop diaper was so gritty this morning.

Something's not right, right? We'll give him an A for effort in

trying to get those undies on the not backwards way.

Yeah, he's still really into Larry-boy and all various characters in all shape, form, and fashion of a certain animated cucumber

mmmm, nothin' like suckin' on raw corn on the cob. seriously. it's so yummy.

Awwww, that's sweet...Dad's buzzing Zeke's head.

UNTIL, you see what they were REALLY up to...

Are you kidding me? I don't think so Dad. Not yet. Instant punk in a superman suit. When he's in elementary school we'll talk, but for now he's THREE and adorable with that hair high and tight.

One year with Miss Belle

2010-08-29T20:12:00.000-07:00

Though according to the law our Hannah isn't TECHNICALLY a Mize (the adoption isn't finalized yet), we are celebrating our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY/ "Gotcha Day" with Hannah! It amazes me that a whole year has gone by since that little munchkin came home. What an overwhelming and exciting time for all of us. The poor little dear didn't know WHAT was going on. Praise the Lord she did attach to us very quickly and her big brother attached to her immediately. I look back a year ago and have a mixed emotions. It was so exciting and fulfilling to bring home Hannah and it was miraculous and a deep God moment (two weeks previous we'd been in a terrible accident and God MIRACULOUSLY spared my mom, Zeke, and my life and we were pursued in this adoption story and it seemed like Hannah was dropped down into our life quickly from the heart of the Father). The sweet thing had been in many loving and PRECIOUS people's homes and hearts yet never had the chance to grow deep roots in one specific home or family. Our lives turned upside down and inside out, and though it was and is to date the greatest challenge of my life, it is one I'm thankful we've gotten the chance to have. Our Hannah came to us with noticeable delays and is now, I feel, advanced! She is a true miracle baby, her name means "favored one" and I believe it. Hannah's complete story from the womb is a miraculous story and reminds me of God's great love for her every time I think on it. What a testimony to God's love towards Hannah and the power of stability! She counts, she jumps, she climbs, she has a crazy strong core (and I mean her abs), she LAUGHS (we waited about four or five months for that one), she talks, she runs fast, she swims...if we could only get her to EAT more!! I've quoted this before and I'll quote it again:
"He knew we needed her." -Marilla Cuthbert from Anne of Green Gables
He did know we needed her. I know I did. She has helped me to tackle so many flesh issues, she has helped me to see God's love for me, she has pushed me to strengthen myself in my identity in Christ and my completeness in Him, the Lord is truly healing me through her (and Zeke), she has made me stronger, she has softened my heart for orphans, she has helped me see the calling on my life and the responsibility God has entrusted to me by choosing me to mother her tender heart. We are blessed to be called Hannah Belle's mom and dad.
"You could have picked anybody, God, but you picked me. Thanks." -Veggie Tales

Bless her heart. She looks so sad here. I love the look on Zeke's face...is he concerned that she's sad or is he thinking how pretty she is? Who knows!

This was one of the most beautiful pictures of God's love to me. To the left are Candise's supporters and to the right are our families. Candise, Hb's birthmom, wanted to dedicate Hannah to the Lord and to us at her home church. What a beautiful site.

"I do dat."

Watch out LADY!

2010-08-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

Maybe there's been a time you've been following a lady in a minivan and she's being granny-slow rounding the bend and you just want to scream, because YOU have places to go and people to see. Maybe you feel that she is being a bit TOO cautious in that minivan. I thought of that lady today. Maybe she's being slow, not because she has a Baby on Board, but because she has children in the back seat with Doodle-Board Pros and every time she hits a Bots Dots or a minor imperfection in the road or ACCELERATES at too fast an RPM, her preschoolers proceed to burst forth with frustrations and shrieks. Maybe proceeding with a little extra caution will lessen the tension level in her upper back. I mean, maybe. Maybe she's just anal.

(NOTE: In no way am I implying that I have a minivan, as I relate to the lady in that commercial in ONE way in that thinking of driving a minivan makes me cry myself to sleep at night.)

Gotcha Day Anniversary!

2010-08-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

Today is Zeke's GOTCHA DAY! "Gotcha Day" is the anniversary of our children coming home to us. Some people celebrate the day the adoption is finalized, but we celebrate the actual day the Lord brought our chosen children home. It is a super special day to us. It makes me emotional thinking about it. Three years ago today, we drove up I-85 to an attorney's office and met Ezekiel Jackson, our strong and uplifting son, and left changed forever. It is amazing and intense on so many levels. That in Zeke's case, we learned of him and brought him home in under 48 hours, that God CHOSE Zeke for Chris and Katie and that God CHOSE us for him, that we get to participate hands-on with what the Lord does with us as adopted children, that God let us in on His plans and let us have Zeke. We are so blessed. Out of all the people in the world God could have chosen for Zeke, He chose me. That blesses me to tears. Today, I'll put my frustrations, irritations, bamboozlements, and complaints aside and soak up this story. Now, tomorrow's another story, but for now I celebrate! Yay God!

Our first glimpse of Zeke

I love the look on Zeke's face. He's like "what the heck am I doing with these two?" He looks so ticked off. Ha!! I specifically remember calling my mom and sister about five minutes before this photo and saying, "He's so beautiful. He's the color of...a fudgesicle!"

the peanut gallery

2010-08-12T17:43:00.001-07:00

After a trying day, there's a couple things I look back on that add a little sparkle (humor, laughs, etc) to what felt BLAH and irritating.
(NOTE: Hannah is counting down the days until crisp mornings arrive so she can wear her princess crown slippers without getting sweaty, stinky, Gouda-factory feet)

The sparkles include this dialogue:

Zeke:"OWWWW! Daddy, I have a wi-bwair-wee on my elw-bow."

Daddy:"You have a library on your elbow?"

Mom: "No, he has a RASPBERRY on his elbow." (Also known as carpet-burns.) Some just comprehend Zekaneise more proficiently than others I suppose.

More sparkles include, except this was more like just plain humor, because there's nothing sparkly about poop. We should learn our lesson this time, that after-dinner swimming is just not the best thing for our family, as our youngest dear daughter has impeccable digestive functions. Needless to say the pool is currently being shocked and the water hose turned into a Bidet (aka French toilet) for Hannah. This is ATLEAST the third time the words, "Everybody OUTTA the pool!" have been uttered in the last few weeks.

Superman is even sweeter when mom gets it from a super cheap consignment

Lest anyone judge me, save it. I learned my lesson. Never leave the cortisone cream out where little hands can administer it themselves to their bug bitten faces.

That's funny, huh? That's how the lightweight "swims" around the pool. Toes up.
Around and around she goes.

Sure he doesn't need goggles, he doesn't even know how to stick his face under and use them as goggles, but he likes them and we like him in them. He DOES know how to make a fish face and that should count for something.

Some people use tranquilizers, some people use Veggie Tales. Whatever.

My little softey

2010-08-08T17:32:00.000-07:00

Swim goggles. These pictures make me smile and laugh out loud. And speaking of smiling...I got one of those "moments moms live for" over the weekend that make all of those, "Zeke quit sword fighting Hannah Belle", "Zeke aim for the toilet bowl!", and "Buddy, you can't take chewing gum out of the trash can to re-chew it" moments all worth while. We were riding along listening to Uncle Cracker's You Make Me Smile song and he says, "Mom? I happy. You make ME smile." Whew, that made my heart flutter just typing it out! That one's gonna get me through this ENTIRE week!

the rest of our July...

2010-08-05T11:27:00.001-07:00

Fourth of July

2010-08-03T18:45:00.000-07:00

One month later....better late than never is what I say!!! We really look forward to the summer lake weekends and spending some super fun time with our family. Its like Christmas in July!! The most wonderful time of the year!

Our munchkins eagerly wearing flotation devices.
Some kids play in dress-up clothes, ours prefer life-jackets.

I'm still not sure if that's the face of frustration or excitement.

my awesome cousin Katharine Anne and Hannah Belle

God Bless the USA.

Nothing like a boat full of men and fireworks.

My uncle Mark has started a yearly tradition of a hum-dinging firework extravaganza, and it is quite a great show. But it never ceases to make me belly laugh, too, as I see all those men setting up and wearing their stunt goggles all whilst to the background music of
the "Superman" theme song. Good times.